2008-2009 Preview

FINAL FOUR GAME PREVIEWS

The Big East conference made up one half of the elite 8 and on Saturday, they will make up one half of the Final Four as Connecticut and Villanova continue their quests for the 2009 NCAA Tournament national championship.

Below is Saturday’s schedule at Ford Field in Detroit. Click on either Big East school’s link to see our game preview and prediction. Enjoy the action…

Connecticut (-4) vs. Michigan State, 6:07 PM.

Villanova vs. North Carolina (-7), 8:47 PM.

(college basketball betting odds courtesy of bet USA.com)

KEYSTONE STATE BATTLE FOR FINAL FOUR

Pitt, Villanova square off for Final Four berth out of the East

When Villanova got past Pittsburgh 67-57 back on January 28th, ‘Nova coach Jay Wright thought he had seen the last of the Panthers for the year.

“I said to our staff after the game, I said, Thank God we played them in here on this night and we don’t have to see them again,” Wright said. “I really didn’t think we were going to see them. But here they are. And they are good.”

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Your seat for the game:

BUY NCAA Tournament East Final (Pitt vs Villanova) March 28, 2009
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For our preview of the West Region Final between UConn and Missouri, please click HERE!

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LOUISVILLE, ‘CUSE LOOK TO MOVE ON TONIGHT

The Big East is certainly representing itself quite well in the 2009 NCAA Tournament. After Pittsburgh, Connecticut and Villanova advanced last night from the Sweet 16 into the Elite 8, the Big East conference record stands at 14-2 in the Big Dance this year.

Tonight, Louisville and Syracuse look to join the Big East party in the Elite 8 and continue the conference’s unprecedented run in the ‘Big Dance.’

Below, you can click on the Big East school’s link and see our game preview and prediction on the second round match-up. Enjoy the action…

Syracuse vs. Oklahoma (-1 1/2), 7:27 PM in Memphis.

Louisville (-9 1/2) vs. Arizona, 7:07 PM in Indianapolis.

(college basketball lines are provided by BetUS.com)

VILLANOVA HITS ROAD FOR SWEET 16 MATCHUP

Villanova leaves Philly for Boston for Sweet 16 encounter with Duke

For Villanova, the opening two rounds of the 2009 NCAA Tournament were enjoyed from the comforts of home. The Wildcats defeated 14th seed American, 80-67, and 3rd-seeded UCLA, 89-69, at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.

In order to be eligible to play in the Wachovia Center in the NCAA Tournament, Villanova scheduled just three games in their ’second home’ this season, but they were the home team on the floor 12 times in the previous two seasons, so it was definitely as much of a home court advantage as a team could have nowadays in the NCAA Tournament.

“What can I say? If you get to play and you don’t have to travel, it’s an advantage,” said ‘Nova coach Jay Wright yesterday. “But you can have your own place turn on you when you’re going against the underdog and everybody gets behind the underdog, that’s a little unsettling, too.”

Tonight:

East Regional, TD Banknorth Garden (Boston):

#2 Duke (-2 1/2) vs. #3 Villanova, 9:57 PM.
(March Madness betting odds are provided by BetUs.com)

Read Full Villanova-Duke Preview HERE!!…

DISTRACTIONS ASIDE, UCONN PUSHES FORWARD

Huskies have learned to worry about what is under their control, playing basketball

In timing that was used for maximum impact, Y! Sports dropped an exclusive bombshell on the college basketball world yesterday with their story that details their 6-month probe on how UConn Violated NCAA Rules in their recruitment of Nate Miles, who was expelled from school prior to playing a game with the Huskies.

With a regularly scheduled NCAA Tournament press conference yesterday afternoon, Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun quickly addressed the story as he began his opening comments with the media.

“The University is taking any allegations towards it’s program or newspaper reports or anything else very responsible and tries to live under the responsibility of the NCAA rules,” said the Hall of Fame Coach. “The University is going to look into any matter, as we would, when we hear light of something with regards to we think it still falls under the guidelines of making sure that we are being compliant.”

Tonight:

West Regional, Phoenix Stadium:

#5 Purdue vs. #1 Connecticut (-6 1/2), 7:07 PM.
(College basketball odds are provided by BetUs.com)

Read Full UConn-Purdue Preview HERE!!…

BIG EAST NCAA TOURNAMENT PREVIEWS (SUNDAY)

It has been a crazy three days and the weekend will wrap up Sunday with eight more games in the 2009 NCAA Tournament.

For Big East fans, it will certainly be a busy day with four conference teams in action. Through the first three days, the Big East has rolled up a record of 8-1 with UConn and ‘Nova already advancing to the Sweet 16.

Below, you can click on the Big East school’s link and see our game preview and prediction on the second round match-up. Enjoy the action…

Syracuse (-2 1/2) vs. Arizona State, 12:10 PM in Miami.

Pittsburgh (-8 1/2) vs. Oklahoma State, 2:50 PM in Dayton.

Marquette (+4) vs. Missouri, 4:50 PM in Boise.

Louisville (-11 1/2) vs. Siena, 5:20 PM in Dayton.

(college basketball lines are provided by BetUS.com)

INJURY NEWS UPDATE:

In stunning early morning news, Marquette’s injured senior point guard Dominic James, who broke a bone in his foot, has been cleared to play in Sunday’s game against Missouri. The point guard James is cleared to play (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) following his participating in a pain-free, 90-minute practice with the Golden Eagles on Saturday

BIG EAST NCAA TOURNAMENT PREVIEWS (FRIDAY)

The NBE Blogger was 2-0 on Thursday in picking Big East games outright, but split ATS as ‘Nova had to rally past American in the second half and never got outside the posted number.

It is a BUSY day on Friday with five Big East teams in action in day two of the 2009 NCAA Tournament. Here is the rundown (with links to buy tickets, which are guaranteed to be in your hand in time!), remember, click on the link of the Big East team and you can see our detailed game preview and prediction:

12:10 pm – Syracuse (-11 1/2) vs. Stephen F. Austin in Miami.

BUY NCAA Tournament Miami Tickets – Session 1 March 20, 2009

BUY NCAA Tournament Miami Tickets – Session 2 March 20, 2009

BUY NCAA Tournament Miami Tickets – Session 3 (Second Round) March 22, 2009

BUY NCAA Tournament Miami Tickets – Strip (Includes all Sessions) March 20, 2009

For the rest of Friday’s Big East action: Read more

BIG EAST NCAA TOURNAMENT PREVIEWS (3/19/09)

Here we go!!

In what has already been a historical NCAA Tournament for the Big East with three #1 seeds, the real action gets underway today with a pair of Big East teams kicking off the NCAA Tournament on the first day of action.

For our detailed game preview and prediction, please visit either our Connecticut Team Blog Site for the Huskies match-up with UT-Chattanooga. UConn is a 20 1/2-point favorite for the match-up that will tip-ff at approx. 3 PM at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.

At 7:20 PM also at the Wachovia Center is an East Region match-up between Villanova, the third-seed and 14th-seeded American. Visit our Villanova Team Blog Site for the game preview and prediction as the Wildcats, favored by 16 1/2, look to take advantage of the home cooking.

(college basketball lines are provided by BetUS.com)

BIG EAST TOURNAMENT PREVIEWS (SESSION III)

The 2009 Big East Tournament (check link, not too late for tickets at GREAT prices!) began yesterday with the new bigger (remains to be seen if better) format as all 16 teams are in NYC to compete in Madison Square Garden. On the opening day, the NBE Blogger was just 2-2 in picking games straight-up, but 3-1 against the posted spread, only missing (by the hook) with Notre Dame ATS.

Here are the previews for Session III, just click on the team link and you will be taken to the team page where a game preview, game story links and a NBE Blogger Prediction can be found:

DePaul vs. Providence (-9 1/2), Noon.

St. John’s vs. Marquette (-7 1/2), approx. 2:20 PM.

During the course of the regular season, the NBE Blogger was 112-31 picking the winners straight-up in Big East games. The record, however, against the spread was not very good, finishing on a run to get up to 71-72, but the first losing season since the NBE came to life. Oh well, time to get it back in the BET!!

(college basketball lines are provided by BetUS.com)

Your home for all of the Big East action for the 2008-2009 season!

BIG EAST TOURNAMENT PREVIEWS (SESSION II)

The 2009 Big East Tournament is underway and there has already been a shocker as 16th-seed DePaul slams the door on any thought that Cincinnati might have had to put their name into the 2009 NCAA Tournament discussion.

This evening, there are two more games to complete Day One of Five in Madison Square Garden. Below, you can click on either team link to see our game preview, links to some game stories and previews on the web and the NBE Blogger’s prediction on the outcome:

Rutgers vs. Notre Dame (-11 1/2), 7 PM.

South Florida vs. Seton Hall (-5 1/2), approx. 9:20 PM.

(college basketball odds are provided by BetUS.com)

Also, check out these BARGAIN prices on Big East Tournament tickets, not too late to get yours:

Big East Basketball Tournament Tickets – Session 2 (Rutgers v Notre Dame South Florida v Seton Hall – as low as $6) March 10 2009

Big East Basketball Tournament Tickets – Session 3 (Providence v TBD Marquette v TBD – as low as $9!) March 11 2009

Big East Basketball Tournament Tickets – Session 4 (West Virginia v TBD Syracuse v TBD – as low as $9!) March 11 2009

Big East Basketball Tournament Tickets – Session 5 (Louisville v TBD Villanova v TBD – as low as $38!) March 12 2009

Big East Basketball Tournament Tickets – Session 6 (Pittsburgh v TBD Connecticut v TBD) March 12 2009

BIG EAST TOURNAMENT PREVIEWS (SESSION I)

p>The 2009 Big East Tournament (check link, not too late for tickets!) begins today with the new bigger (remains to be seen if better) format as all 16 teams are in NYC to compete in Madison Square Garden.

Here are the previews for Session I, just click on the team link and you will be taken to the team page where a game preview, game story links and a NBE Blogger Prediction can be found:

DePaul vs. Cincinnati (-8 1/2), Noon.

St. John’s vs. Georgetown (-5 1/2), approx. 2:20 PM.

During the course of the regular season, the NBE Blogger was 112-31 picking the winners straight-up in Big East games. The record, however, against the spread was not very good, finishing on a run to get up to 71-72, but the first losing season since the NBE came to life. Oh well, time to get it back in the BET!!

(college basketball betting odds are provided by BetUS.com)

Your home for all of the Big East action for the 2008-2009 season!

BIG EAST GAME PREVIEWS (3/7/2009)

The NBE Blogger swept the lone game in the Big East on Friday with Notre Dame earning the straight-up and ATS win over St. John’s last night. The win pushed the NBE Blogger to 109-29 overall this season in Big East games in picking the winner straight-up. Still, the YTD ATS mark has fallen well below the acceptable levels at a struggling 68-70 YTD in Big East games, even a perfect final Saturday will not pull a successful ATS record for the season, a first for the NBE Blogger!

Now we enter the regular season finale in what has been a very memorable Big East season. With the 2009 Big East Tournament (buy tickets here and help support NBE) starting next week, this is make or break time for some many conference teams. There is six final games on this Saturday and you can follow the team links below to see our previews, the NBE Blogger’s game prediction and the links to pregame stories and previews found across the web:

Connecticut at Pittsburgh (-3 1/2) Noon.

Seton Hall at Cincinnati (-6 1/2), Noon.

Syracuse at Marquette (-5 1/2), 2 PM.

South Florida at Rutgers (-4), 2 PM.

DePaul at Georgetown (-16 1/2), 5 PM.

Lousiville at West Virginia (-3), 9 PM.

(college basketball odds are provided by BetUS.com)

BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (3/6/2009) & GAME PREVIEW

The regular season finales began last night and Villanova got what they wanted while they will send Providence on to New York for the 2009 Big East Tournament next week in New York City at Madison Square Garden still in search of what they are looking for.

While Dominic James is done for the season, Marquette’s NCAA seed could be adjusted down even more than their late season losing streak would have on its own with James. Pittsburgh is hoping their floor general is good to gon on Saturday for the highly anticipated match-up with Connecticut.

DePaul sophomore Dar Tucker looks into leaving college for the NBA while Rutgers sophomore Corey Chandler has not made a final decision to leave the Scarlet Knight’s program as of yet.

There is a story on top 2010 target Carson Desrosiers for readers as well as our game preview on tonight’s Big East action between Notre Dame and St. John’s.

Read more

BIG EAST GAME PREVIEW (3/5/2009)

It was a good night on Wednesday for the NBE Blogger as he swept the board, going both 3-0 straight-up and ATS in the conference games. The wins pushed the NBE Blogger to 107-29 overall this season in Big East games in picking the winner straight-up. Still, the YTD ATS mark has fallen well below the acceptable levels at a struggling 66-70 YTD in Big East games, even a perfect final weekend will not pull a successful ATS record for the season, a first for the NBE Blogger!

Now we enter the regular season finales, it seems every game has some kind of importance. With the 2009 Big East Tournament (buy tickets here and help support NBE) starting next week, this is make or break time for some many conference teams. You can follow the links below of the teams to see our preview of the game and a prediction from the NBE Blogger (and, remember to leave your prediction, thoughts and analysis in the comments while there):

Providence at Villanova (-10 1/2), 7 PM.

(college basketball lines are provided by BetUS.com)

Your home for all of the Big East action for the 2008-2009 season!

BIG EAST GAME PREVIEWS (3/4/2009)

The NBE Blogger was upended just like Cincinnati and St. John’s last night and took a 1-2 night in games straight-up. The losses knocked the NBE Blogger to 104-29 overall this season in Big East games in picking the winner straight-up. The losses also mounted ATS and was more of the same in an embarrasing season, dipping the YTD ATS mark to fall well below the acceptable levels at a struggling 63-70 YTD in Big East games, even a perfect final week will not pull a successful ATS record for the season, a first for the NBE Blogger!

Now that the calendar has flipped to March, it seems every game has some kind of importance. With the 2009 Big East Tournament (buy tickets here and help support NBE) starting next week, this is make or break time for some many conference teams. You can follow the links below of the teams to see our preview of the game and a prediction from the NBE Blogger (and, remember to leave your prediction, thoughts and analysis in the comments while there):

Seton Hall at Louisville (-16 1/2), 7 PM.

DePaul at West Virginia (-21 1/2), 7:00 PM

Marquette at Pittsburgh (-10 1/2), 7:30 PM.

(college basketball lines are provided by BetUS.com)

Your home for all of the Big East action for the 2008-2009 season!

BIG EAST GAME PREVIEWS (3/3/2009)

The NBE Blogger took the 0-fer on ‘Big Monday’ as Notre Dame was balsted in the second half by Villanova. The loss knocked the NBE Blogger to 103-27 overall this season in Big East games in picking the winner straight-up. The loss ATS was more of the same in an embarrasing season, dipping the YTD ATS mark to fall well below the acceptable levels at a struggling 62-68 YTD in Big East games, even a perfect final week will not pull a successful ATS record for the season, a first for the NBE Blogger!

Now that the calendar has flipped to March, even tonight’s ho-hum Big East slate has a little more sense of excitement. With the 2009 Big East Tournament (buy tickets here and help support NBE) starting next week, this is make or break time for some many conference teams. You can follow the links below of the teams to see our preview of the game and a prediction from the NBE Blogger (and, remember to leave your prediction, thoughts and analysis in the comments while there):

Cincinnati (-3 1/2) at South Florida, 7 PM.

Georgetown (-6 1/2) at St. John’s, 7:30 PM

Rutgers at Syracuse (-15 1/2), 9 PM.

(college basketball betting odds are provided by BetUS.com)

Your home for all of the Big East action for the 2008-2009 season!

BIG EAST GAME PREVIEW (3/2/2009)

The NBE Blogger was 7-1 over the weekend picking games straight-up in the Big East. The YTD record outright is and impressive 103-26, right at the 80% mark. However, the ATS picks have been subpar all season and were a poor 3-5 over the weekend, dipping the YTD ATS mark to fall well below the acceptable levels at a struggling 62-67 YTD in Big East games, even a perfect final week will not pull a successful ATS record for the season, a first for the NBE Blogger!

Well, here it is, the final ‘Big Monday’ of the season. With the 2009 Big East Tournament (buy tickets here and help support NBE) starting next week, this is make or break time for some many conference teams. You can follow the links below of the teams to see our preview of the game and a prediction from the NBE Blogger (and, remember to leave your prediction, thoughts and analysis in the comments while there):

Villanova at Notre Dame (-3 1/2), 7 PM.

(college basketball betting odds are provided by BetUS.com)

Your home for all of the Big East action for the 2008-2009 season!

BIG EAST GAME PREVIEWS (3/1/2009)

WELCOME TO THE MONTH OF MARCH! LET THE MADNESS BEGIN!!!!

The NBE Blogger was 3-1 in picking game straight-up on Saturday, but he weekend slump continues ATS and the record was 1-3 against the posted number. The YTD straight-up record in conference match-ups now stands at 99-26, a smudge below 80%. On the flip side, the ATS record continues to fall well below the acceptable level at a struggling 60-65 YTD in Big East games, time is running out to pull into plus territory

There are four games on the Sunday schedule for the Big East. We have to do things slightly different today, there is a brief listing of links and our prediction if you read on below.

Marquette at Louisville (-8 ½), Noon.

Providence (-3) at Rutgers, Noon.

Cincinnati at Syracuse (-8 ½), 2 PM.

West Virginia (-11) at South Florida, 4 PM.

(college basketball lines are provided by BetUS.com)

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BIG EAST GAME PREVIEWS (2/28/2009)

The NBE Blogger has had a deent week, going 6-2 picking Big East games straight up and a strong 6-2 ATS this week. The YTD straight-up record in conference match-ups now stands at 96-25, a smudge below 80%. On the flip side, the ATS record continues to fall well below the acceptable levels at a struggling 59-62 YTD in Big East games, time is running out to pull into plus territory

It is the second-to-last weekend of the Big East regular season and there are four games on Saturday and four more for Sunday. You can follow the links below of the teams to see our preview of the game and a prediction from the NBE Blogger (and, remember to leave your prediction, thoughts and analysis in the comments while there):

St. John’s at DePaul (-1), 12 Noon.

Georgetown at Villanova (-6), 12 Noon.

Notre Dame at Connecticut (-11), 2 PM.

Pittsburgh (-10) at Seton Hall, 8:30 PM.

(college basketball betting lines are provided by BetUS.com)

Your home for all of the Big East action for the 2008-2009 season!

BIG EAST GAME PREVIEW (2/26/2009)

The NBE Blogger was back on track last night in the Big East, going 4-0 in picking the winners straight-up and 3-1 ATS. The YTD straight-up record in conference match-ups now stands at 96-24, an even 80%. On the flip side, the ATS record continues to fall well below the acceptable levels at a struggling 58-62 YTD in Big East games, time is runnign out to pull into plus territory

A very important match-up on Thursday makes up the lone game on the Big East schedule. You can follow the links below of the teams to see our preview of the game and a prediction from the NBE Blogger (and, remember to leave your prediction, thoughts and analysis in the comments while there):

West Virginia (-4 1/2) at Cincinnati, 7 PM.

(college basketball lines are provided by BetUS.com)

Your home for all of the Big East action for the 2008-2009 season!

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